Atlas transfer cases

[Tippin Spotted Cow]

Atlas transfer cases... Anyone heard of them? Anyone running one? Will they hold up behind a Cummins? Will it hold up behind a cranked Cummins? Will it hold up towing? How do they compare to the NP205, strength wise?



$1900 for a custom built one with 2:1 low range, twin sticks (front axle & rear axle), female input shaft that eliminates the "power sleeve" male to male coupler, custom case that mates right up to the back of the transmission eliminating the transmission to transfer case adapter. Decent deal, or steer clear?

 

["Mad Max"]

I haven't heard of anything negative about an Atlas. However, I will offer this up -a 205 has the same ratio and costs a lot less, and is generally regarded as the strongest t-case alive.



That said, if you want additional crawl ratio, there's another option, one that I went with to go behind my 6bt. I built a 203/205 doubler, combining the best parts of a 203 and a 205 and removing the weakest. Off Road Design produces the kit that I chose to use and I just recently got it all installed, and I like it. I'm still getting the truck together so I have yet to drive/use it, but the doubler utilizes the front half (the planetary gear-drive low range section) of a 203 and a complete mated 205, along witha few specialized internals also produced by ORD. The result, is an all-gear-drive mated dual transfer case with a 4-1 overall gear reduction, and it is, by all accounts, Cummins-proof. Plus, should something break the hardware is 'all Dodge' and is 'replaceable' with another 203 or 205 laying around verses having to buy exotic parts.



There is a little 'voodoo' (custom machining) required for the doubler to bolt up clean, but it is very simple and any decent machine shop can do it for about $100.



I am just finishing the write-up for the install and I will have it over to ORD soon for their website.



The whole gig adds about 5" to the driveline length so driveshaft mods must be done, and it is very heavy.



Total cost for the doubler kit is ~$1500. So, cheaper, and very easy to do, and uses stock Dodge hardware.



- M2

 

[Tippin Spotted Cow]

Well my entire reason for looking at the Atlas has to do with my Getrag swap. The 29 spline NP205 is a rare bird, but thats what I need for the Getrag to work with. Yes, you can buy the 29 spline shaft and install it in the 23 spline case..... after machining the case out for the larger bearing on the 29. Add to this, the adapter between the transmission and the transfer case is even more rare than the 29 spline case.



I found a place that can get me a reman 29 spline transfer case to the tune of $1400. It's another $400 core charge, which mine works great and Is worth more than just a core charge. Add finding the transmission to transfer case adapter, upwards of at least $100, most likely more. Another $100 for the "power sleeve"... ends up being $1600 or more... $2000 if I want to keep my case.



With the Atlas, I can keep my case, have a brand spankin new one (not reman), and skip the search for the adapter and coupler entirely, all for $1900.



My favorite part, though, over machining and rebuilding my own case to fit, is that I can have the Atlas, bolt the entire assembly together, mocked up, outside of the truck, while the truck is still functioning, then in a weekend pull my entire assembly out and throw the Getrag/Atlas assembly in. Drop the driveshafts off on Friday morning and possibly have the truck back on the road by Monday afternoon.

 

[TSkibyak]

There is a junkyard here in Albuquerque who deals in nothing but diesels you can get a 29 spline 205 from them for 500 plus a 100 core with a 60 day warranty. Brannex 505-877-4244 they are some good people to work with. Good luck thats how I got my t case. Oh and they will take your 23 spline as a core.